Hardware problem?

LV2000 · February 8, 2009, 10:08pm

Hello all,
if anyone could help me with this:

Sometimes when I start my computer the screen doesn’t turn on and the computer doesn’t seem to boot. Additionally sometimes when windows start a blue screen shows up…Any ideas about what is going on?

Please ask if you need additional information…

LV2000 · February 8, 2009, 10:21pm

I want to add that I have tested the Ram with a program and it didn’t find any problem

Sniper · February 8, 2009, 11:07pm

Hi LV2000

More information is need really;

what are your computer specs?
can you write down the error message code when you get the blue screen

LV2000 · February 8, 2009, 11:19pm

Here:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
ASUS P5E64WS Evolution
2GB Ram DDR3
8800GT

As for the blue screen the only thing I remember is that it says that a device maybe is not installed properly.

Moreover the temperatures of the graphics card and CPU seems to be in acceptable levels(57C and ~25C(for the CPU).

I want to add that occasionally(windows) the computer just stops to function so I have to restart but this happens rarely…

Anti-Trend · February 8, 2009, 11:39pm

What have you tested the RAM with? I recommend running Memtest86+ overnight to be sure. Also, what make and model is your PSU? Finally, I’d give the motherboard a once-over for bad capacitors. They are essentially small batteries and thus will look similarly when they fail, either bulging or leaking caustic fluid from the top or bottom.

LV2000 · February 9, 2009, 5:37am

Thanks for the reply

I used Memtest86+ , no problems. The PSU is a chieftec. You mean to personally examine the motherboard for bad capacitors?

Anti-Trend · February 9, 2009, 5:44am

Nice, that’s one less consideration, assuming you gave the test enough time. Sometimes errors don’t pop out for a while.

OK, can you find out what model? What’s the rated wattage?

Yeah, unfortunately there are no automated ways to do that which I’m aware of.

LV2000 · February 9, 2009, 11:08am

Hello again,

About the Memtest86+, i didn’t escape until it reached 100% and it wrote that the test passed(several tests).

About the PSU MODEL: GPS-400AA-101A, 400W

I carefully examined the motherboard but I didn’t noticed any leakage or anything wrong…

(Again thank you for the response)

Support1 · February 28, 2009, 9:49pm

Do you hear any beeps at all when you turn your pc on?

LV2000 · February 28, 2009, 10:19pm

Nope…

Support1 · March 1, 2009, 11:18am

You can try the following:

‘restore’ your computer to a previous date when it was working properly: click Start, All Programs, then pick Accessories, System Tools, System Restore, then tick ‘Restor My Computer to an Earlier Time’, click Next, from the Calendar select a restore points, eg. if the problem started lets say on 3rd January, pick an available restore date before the 3rd January. Don’t worry, you will not loose any recent work you’ve done.

OR if this doesn’t work:

restart your computer using safe mode, by pressing F8 before Windows blue screen comes up and select the safe mode start up option.

Anti-Trend · March 1, 2009, 5:57pm

How’s he supposed to do these things if his system won’t POST?

…Anyway, might want to look at the possibility of a bad PSU. That could certainly explain the issues you’re seeing. Otherwise, it’s a matter of troubleshooting components one at a time I’m afraid.

Support1 · March 3, 2009, 1:34pm

The initial message states "Sometimes when I start my computer…

Anti-Trend · March 3, 2009, 5:26pm

Maybe I came across as a jerk, and if that’s the case I apologize. But back on the technical issue. If it sometimes doesn’t post, I’d say that’s a primary symptom that Windows issues definitely can’t be the root of. If one fixes the core problem, the Windows symptoms will probably be resolved also. If not, at least it’d be easier to troubleshoot at that point.